Lucy Dunn, Edwards Lifesciences honored

Cal State Fullerton's Center for Leadership on Friday recognized Lucy Dunn, chief executive of the Orange County Business Council, and heart-valve maker Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine as Orange County's leaders of the year.

Dunn won the Excellence in Leadership Award. She said leadership is about being a change agent. The problem, however, is that change is difficult. She recommended four basic principles for leading: recognize opportunities, make choices, develop a focus and practice daring.

"Leadership can be lonely, but don't be afraid of that. Lean into it," Dunn said.

Edwards Lifesciences was honored with the Excellence in Leadership Development Award.

Rob Reindl, who recently retired as Edwards' head of human resources, said developing leadership is a core value at the company. He said CEO Michael A. Mussallem conducts a review of every function of its regional and business units every year. The review includes looking at how each business group is organized and who is in critical jobs, all with an eye toward leadership development.

The company also has an 18-month leadership training program for the seven top biomedical graduates it recruits every year.

"Mike Mussallem has leadership development and talent development in his heart," Reindl said.